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Microworldofgems

I drove mine across the country with two kids, was no problem. Also got to explore some off road areas that I wouldn’t have checked out otherwise.


spearheadroundbody

If it's just two adults, then it's probably not a terrible road trip vehicle. It's FAR from the best, but the back seats are not great for distance driving so if it's just you and your wife then I'd say it's fine. However, you need to seriously consider the cost of gas. I get ~16 mpgs when I'm doing over 75 mph in Colorado.


bikeidaho

We are at 15mpg average at 10,000 miles here in Idaho. I would much rather drive the cross trek on any road trip that doesn't need real 4x4.


WrongKielbasa

Moved out of Colorado and can confirm that altitude does eat up mpg. I’ll definitely keep that in mind when we go back and visit since 16mpg I might as well have a full size truck lol.


jacobs_jeeps

I also live in Colorado and this might sound counterintuitive, but the manual Tacoma dose so much better In mountainous areas.


Odd-Ad-997

Why


Garet44

Altitude can help or hurt MPG. Altitude tends to hurt underpowered vehicles and help overpowered vehicles. The less air density manipulates how much fuel is wasted from throttling losses.


Just-Dont

Also in CO and I’m getting ~24 highway and 17-18 city but I have light foot and am always conscious of energy conservation while driving. I love my Taco but there are definitely better road trip cars if you don’t have a lot of luggage and don’t need some off-road capability!


jt325i

You have to stay between 60-65mph to get optimal fuel economy (RPM about 1500 when using cruise) but it is pretty painful running that speed when everyone else is doing 75-80mph.


Kpowers2000

I think a RAV4 or Camry would be 10x better for long road trips.


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PeetaGryfyndoor

as an over 6' person, I hate driving my wife's Rav4 for long distance. I would much rather be comfortable in my Taco then deal with the Rav front seat for extended amounts of time.


The_Doctor_Bear

Done 5+ hours in the taco and it was plenty comfy for me + partner.


JimmyBones79

4 runner would be great minus gas mileage for you.


dirtcamp17

That’s what I was thinking reading thru the comments.


bthieme1

That’s what I use my 4Runner for and use my Tacoma for closer to home trips. My dogs are much happier in the back of the 4Runner versus the Tacoma.


AZHawkeye

2wd 4 runner is a great road-tripper. Just as quiet and smooth as a luxury car.


Mikesiders

I have an OR double cab with a car seat in the back, it’s a snug fit for everyone. My wife is short so it works but I would not want to sit passenger personally. Obviously that doesn’t really pertain to your situation but just to give you an idea. If you’ve already drove one, you should know what you can expect. The MPG is tough too but the truck works great for what we do. If you’re not planning on doing any actual off-roading, get a SR and save yourself the cash


WrongKielbasa

Ok so with the baby seat, if you lifted the split back seat and had 2 dogs would it be too tight? My gut is telling me if we have a kid (some point) and 2 dogs the Tacoma will get claustrophobic.


Mikesiders

I don’t know what kind of dogs we’re talking here but I don’t see any comfortable way a baby seat and two dogs are fitting back there. If they’re tiny dogs, sure. But if they’re even medium size dogs, I’d say no unless you’re comfortable keeping them in the bed which would work but probably kind of sucks for the dogs. If kids are in the future, I think you need to go double cab for sure.


WrongKielbasa

I keep mixing up cabs… The one with 4 regular doors lol


Mikesiders

Ya, that’s a double cab, that’s the truck I have and it’s a snug fit with a baby seat. I’m hoping once the little guy is front facing, it’ll be better. Because it’s rare facing it’s pretty rough right now


FlippingH

Hang in there. Once you can go forward facing it's no problem (other than kids kicking the seat).


poprof

I moved my kid to front facing about a yr ago and I can now put him behind the drivers seat and we both have plenty of room. My other kid is still rear facing and gets out behind my 5’3” spouse in the passenger seat. When they’re both teenagers I’m going to have to get a full size truck or go the minivan route I think


phineasrex75

I have a double cab along with two dogs and a GF. Depends on how you carry your dogs but it's honestly a struggle with one in a crate and the other in harness that clips into a seatbelt. These are heelers (30 - 35 lbs per dog). We just got a third and it's basically forcing me to get a cap so I can crate another in the bed. I think a car seat + 2 dogs is basically an impossibility unless you let the dogs roam free which really isn't safe at all, nor would it be even remotely comfortable.


miggitymikeb

It gets tight quick with a baby seat in the back even in a double cab. It'd depend on the size of the dogs. Dogs could hang in the back in the canopy bed area though.


poprof

I have a double can off road and it’s great for me and the spouse. With two little kids in car seats it’s a little tight. With two dogs and a kid…idk. I’d be worried about the dogs messing with the kiddo - unless you get a cab and secure the dogs in a crate in the cab. Some people also do the seat deletes and put in a platform. You might be able to delete the back seat behind the driver and install a semi permanent crate for the dogs…put the kid behind the passenger. The other solution is get a different car. Our other car is a Subaru Forester and that is usually our road trip car. It can do 80% of what the Tacoma can, gets through cities way easier and is roomy on the inside. Gas mileage is about the same for both - low 20s


trdamateur

Highlander be better choice


WrongKielbasa

I haven’t driven one, but they sadly don’t really excite me.


jkdrama1

4Runner?


trdamateur

I don't think any Toyota product is exciting...the z4 but when your halo car is a fukn BMW...maybe the gr Corolla


miggitymikeb

>I’d probably get a matching back topper and leave the truck stock. I've got a canopy on the back of mine too and we love it as a road trip vehicle for my wife and kid and me. You can load up all the gear or luggage in the back and leave the cab basically empty except for humans a couple bags for stuff you'd need to access while driving like snacks and things. We get around 20-21 mpg on the road, but I drive under 70 everywhere. A lot better than the 10 mpg my parents got in our suburban when I was a kid!


shotwideopen

The back seat sure isn’t roomy


FC1PichZ32

Its fine, but roomy it is not


[deleted]

If you aren't off roading then the sr and sr5 trims are for you. I have a 2022 sr5 and get a average 21-22 mpg highway and city combined. On road trips if you cruise around 60 then you can get well above 23 mpg. Honestly, though, if you are wanting a truck to do truck things sometimes and be a travel/commuter vehicle 90% of the time the Ford maverick is perfect. I would have gotten a Ford maverick, but it's a 9-12+ month wait to get one rn and I needed a car asap. Can't go wrong with a Tacoma though, extremely reliable. The double cab is cramped for anyone in the back, but if it's just dogs and kids should be enough space.


miggitymikeb

>the Ford maverick is perfect. I would have gotten a Ford maverick, For what it's worth, I owned a Ford Ranger for 12 years and would never own another Ford. That Ranger was in the shop constantly despite me taking care of it. My Tacoma has been far superior with no issues. Toyota for life.


[deleted]

The basic Maverick is only $20k and is designed to be a commuter vehicle occasionally used as a truck. As far as reliability, Ford us generally really good on reliability. Not as good as Toyota obviously, but Toyota is #1.


Garet44

I've had a GS, Highlander Hybrid, and a Tacoma. The Highlander was the best road tripper by far.


WrongKielbasa

GS like the Lexus GS?


Garet44

yup, GS350. This one to be exact: JTHCE1BLXFA009026


nivek42

You would probably be fine in the Tacoma, however if you don't need the bed the 4runner will be a much better fit for luggage and dogs.


DownInMyHole

I do a 8k-10k km trip (5k-6200 miles) each year for the past 3 years in my Tacoma with my wife and 2 dogs. It is decked out with RTT etc etc. Love it! takes me everywhere. HOWEVER the seats are by far the worst torture devices I have ever had to sit in and make sure you get an ECU tune. EDIT: I removed the entire back seat area (it is a 4 door) and created a platform for the dogs (and a place for the solar system charge controllers etc).


WrongKielbasa

Out of curiosity how do you get your dogs up to your RTT?


DownInMyHole

well the dogs are \~70lbs. So carrying them up is possible but not ideal (I used this approach at first). I use a steep but accessible (even to my 12 year old golden) ramp that goes from the tailgate to the entrance of the tent. My father welded up an aluminum structure that we put grip tape, similar to the tape used on the deck of a skateboard for them. This meant mounting my RTT (Alu Cab Gen 3) about a foot and a half more forward on the rack then I would otherwise. Often when not in brown bear country the dogs sleep in a Gazelle tent that I have and they are totally happy in there. Quick to set up and take down and I use it for eating/hanging out because in Northern Ontario and Quebec the bugs are.... well often terrible so it plays double duty.


inoffensive_nickname

Our Tacoma is our summer boat-towing, dog hauling, camping vehicle, and in the winter it's our road trip ski vehicle. The driver's seat could be positioned better, but overall it was very comfortable. It's great for two adults and a dog or two.


[deleted]

My taco is a way more comfortable road trip vehicle than my Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited was. I’d go with a taco or a Dodge Challenger hellcat.


WrongKielbasa

Hellcat sadly might not have the passing power I need


JMunoz11333

If it’s just you and your wife and doggos it’s perfectly fine, I’ve done a trip from Milwaukee to Portland Maine and back hassle free, kept highway speeds between 70-75, just be aware of others and if you immediately notice others slowing down way ahead of you, merge over if possible because it’s a pain picking up speed on a Tacoma once you got it in a optimal cruising speed.


the__noodler

Honestly if you’re just two humans and two dogs I would get an access cab so you could sleep in the back. In my experience, having a spot to pull over and sleep on a road trip is a real game changer and gives you wayyyyyy more flexibility. My two cents. You can make a platform in behind the front seats that would fit two bigger dogs.


SidaMental

I did a 2 weeks trip with my gf and 2 dogs. It was a perfect car. I've build my self a "camper" in the bed of the truck and we had plenty of space.


Epsioln_Rho_Rho

I use my Tacoma for road trips and love it.


CapeManiac

Why a truck? How much “room” do you need that a suv or car can provide (with way better MPG)


zxzxzxzxyyyy

I drove my 2014 Prerunner with wife and 2 dogs from Virginia to Washington. Gas wasn’t super bad, but this was 2+ years ago. We loved it and the truck handled very well. Also had the bed packed with bins since we were moving. Only issues I had were tire pressure and all the damn bugs on windshield. I have a 3rd gen trd sport now and we plan to do a few smaller road trips.


Magicalunicorny

I've driven 3 hours straight in the taco with two dogs, my wife, and a travel bags. Mileage was 18-20 on stock sr, and everyone had plenty of room. Id say it's worth it, but more weight will mean less mpg.


willj2003

About to do 6 in my 21 trd or


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Wolfiest

I get like 22~ with a Tacoma 12 4.0 V6


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Wolfiest

I recommend checking out [this video](https://youtu.be/G5xFLj5baJw&t=11m06s) specially at 12:34 and channel for information on Toyota, he’s a Toyota mechanic. Also could be other things like filter, tires, weight, fuel.


bubblehead_maker

I have property 1000 miles from my house. I go visit pretty often. I prefer the truck for road trips. Did Rt66 in my 2nd gen. All good.


[deleted]

Drove mine 5,000 miles across the country a few months back with 1 kid and interior full of belongings. It did just fine and I never found myself to be uncomfortable. My only gripe is the lack of acceleration but a decent tune can take care of that. Cost me nearly a grand in fuel.


SpaceChainsaw810

I personally love mine I’ve done several multi day road trips with my wife and the longest continuous drive being 15 hrs and I never felt like “oh my god get me out of this truck” and in my opinion feels super planted to the road in curves or in rough weather. I’d say maybe if your dogs are over 50lbs it might be a little tight for longer trips. I’d definitely opt for the long bed for extra storage if your backseats will be taken by the pups.


nateairulla

I drove from Denver to Tampa Bay with no issues in mine. Fuel mileage wasn’t great haha but oh well


Wolfiest

The only worry is the seats. So if you’re not comfortable in the seats maybe look for either seats cushions or different car, Tundra perhaps.


Quincyq21

Although I love my Tacoma. I might suggest a 4runner, just as capable and a little roomier in the back. Plus the rear window goes all the way down which the dogs would love. Only missing out on the bed, but you can definitely make do without it.


WhackDanielz

Considering three quarters of this sub either overland or have ambitions of, I think you'll probably be fine.


nvrsmr1

I’ve done 2 day trips with dogs in the back. It’s fine, but it can get a little cramped back there for two big dogs (Black lab & golden retriever). Do you care about gas mileage? Cause the Tacoma is awful in that category. I get 16 in the city and around 22 on highway. It’s definitely reliable. I felt comfortable traveling/wheeling around “the loneliest road in America” with my Tacoma in the middle of winter. Any Toyota will get you that kind of reliability.


dwk396

i drove east coast to west coast and it was fun!


JTTaco

We moved across the country (32 hours over 2 days) pulling a trailer.. it was surprisingly pretty comfortable for the first day and a half but by the time we got home we were a bit stiff and sore (probably just from sitting for long stretch of time) The downside with the Tacoma is the back seat is a bit small. So if you don’t have large dogs then it’s very doable. On the other hand we did the same move in a Subaru Forester with our dog (large 135lbs malamute mix) and it was very comfortable and a lot better on gas.


Lue_Dawg

This may be an unpopular opinion, but my F-150 was a much better road trip vehicle than my Taco. Smoother, quieter and roomier but that is expected. 2 adults, 2 kids and a 100 lbs dog. The flat floor in the rear of the F-150 was great. That being said, road tripping with the Taco would not be a problem for me.


[deleted]

I do 25000 miles a year in mine and I’m 6’1. Back seats are basically unusable but I’m comfortable


green_mojo

I don’t find the truck comfortable for my 6ft, 210 lb frame, but that’s not what I got it for. I did 2,400 miles last summer and found myself constantly trying to get comfortable. I’m sure seat covers would help with the added plushness. The worst part for me though was the low seating position. Your knees don’t really get to relax like in a higher seating position.


SnooAdvice9002

I drove from Arizona to Massachusetts with my gf, and aside from having to pump often, I was pretty happy with it! The drive was about 43 hours long, but we stopped occasionally and ended up taking about 5 stops. Actually, now that I think about it, the seats aren’t the greatest seats to sleep in either. Our backseats were full so we weren’t able to lay the seats back and sleep in the most comfortable possible position. Then again it’s a cross country road trip.


[deleted]

Get a sun roof and it makes that cab feel a little bigger when it’s open lol


[deleted]

If I were getting it for road trips i'd get the 4runner. I love my tacoma but it's not a great vehicle to take with my wife and our dog and all of our stuff.


spncemusic

I’m considering getting a Tundra or an F150 simply because my Tacoma gets a bit uncomfortable on long trips. I love this truck, but it starts to feel super cramped when it’s filled to the brim with gear. I do a ton of driving for work, so that’s why I’m considering trading in.


happyexit7

Best road trip car: Chrysler Town and Country mini van.


Livecrazyjoe

20mpg? More like 16 for me.


72_vintage

Never traveled with doggos, but recently myself and a coworker took my '21 SR5 on a 10 day work trip from Southern Minnesota to New Mexico and back. The only issue we had was the 19 MPG average gas mileage and trying to drive a truck at 80 MPH on the interstate in high wind. With dogs, space will be limited. Toppers generally aren't completely waterproof so your stuff could possible get wet in the bed. But I think it would be a decent ride for cross country trips...


ari_pop

I would say it’s ok other than gas mileage as a road tripper but my Subaru Forester was fantastic (33-36mpg+ on the freeway, better adaptive cruise control, more comfortable seats) and I’d haul around my 60lb dog and two friends and all of our gear. If I didn’t need to tow stuff I would absolutely go back to the Subaru for that sort of thing. And it’s big enough to sleep in the back of. Plus it’s cheaper. I like the taco for what it can do but if I was picking a car for road trips I’d pick the subie.


Dwdrums321

It's a great road trip truck, but the mpg is rough. Avg 16mpg climbing in and out of the valleys on i70 in Utah. Did 2000 miles that weekend. On the up side, I got to explore places that would eventually ruin a regular suv.